West Hill is one of the best known courses in Surrey and is one of the well-known '3 W's' of the region - alongside Woking and Worplesdon.

The course was founded in 1909, and it is lined with towering Scottish pine trees and the usual heather and gorse that you would expect from a stunning inland, heathland course. 

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The London Necropolis Company acquired the land in the mid-19th Century. The 'London Necropolis' was intended to become London's only cemetery, with enough land to contain the dead indefinitely, but the project never gained enough support.

J.B. Walker, a senior executive of the Necropolis Company, allowed the land to be made available for golf, and from there, West Hill began, with the club being founded in 1909. Walker would be a Captain and President of the club in future years.

Open Championship winners Jack White and Willie Park Jr were the designers of the course. Cuthbert Butchart oversaw the construction of the lay-out prior to the First World War, with a number of changes being made after the War to lengthen holes.

The club has played host to a number of big events, including the Ladies British Open Amateur Championship in 2005. Sweden's Anna Nordqvist, who has gone on to win the AIG Women's Open and participate in the Solheim Cup on several occasions, was the winner.

Five par-3s and a couple of par-5s are an integral part of the par-69 West Hill course. At 6,309 yards from the White tees, the course does not play overly long, but it is tight and winding around the trees and the heather.

The opening hole features a ditch that runs across the fairway at 260 yards from the back tees, meaning driver might not be the play for the longer hitters. After a comfortable 2nd hole, the 3rd measures at over 450 yards as a par-4. A good drive is required before a second shot needs to carry a ditch that starts in front and works its way round the left side of the green.

The first par-3 and par-5 on the course follow with the latter seeing big hitters being able to reach in two if they put themselves in a good position off the tee. A blind tee shot starts the 6th hole, which is another plus 400 yard par-4, before the par-3 7th which features four greenside bunkers, all of which must be carried. Eight more bunkers appear on the short par-4 8th hole before the front nine finishes with another par-3. 

The back side at West Hill starts with a tough driving hole. Out of bounds guards the left hand side for the first 300 yards of the 10th hole. The 11th sees a split fairway, with the bigger hitters possibly running out of the first part of it. Nine bunkers guard the 12th, a driveable 288 yard par-4, which is a great birdie opportunity. However, find one of the front bunkers and you could require a 40-yard bunker shot to a back flag.

The short par-3 13th features out of bounds if you go long, with out of bounds down to right on 14 as well. That can be cleared with a 250-yard drive around the corner of the dog-leg. A good drive is required down the 450 yard par-4. From the back tees, the par-3 15th plays more than 210 yards, and there are five bunkers waiting to scoop up any errant or under hit shot.

The finishing stretch starts with another split fairway on 16. The ditch appears at 270 yards, but you need to play shorter than that as it plays slightly downhill. The 17th also features a split fairway, the first part ending after 260 yards. The 499 yard par-5 requires two solid fairway woods or long irons to reach in two. The closing hole at West Hill features three bunkers in the middle of the fairway that must be missed. At 440 yards, it is not an easy way to finish as you play back up to the clubhouse.

West Hill is located just west of Woking, right near both Woking and Worplesdon Golf Clubs. It is situated just 30 miles from the centre of London, and it is 45 minutes on the train from London Waterloo via South Western Railway.

London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport are both within close range, with the two biggest airports in London both less than an hour away from West Hill. This makes it easy for international visitors to fly into London and not have to travel too far for a game at West Hill.

There are three different green fees for West Hill, depending on the day of the week, but all three include a range token. The most expensive tee times come on the weekend, with a charge of £200 for those visiting West Hill on Saturday or Sunday.

If you want to play on Fridays, then the same package will cost £170. To play from Monday to Thursday sets you back £150. You can also get an all-day package throughout the week, with that costing £220.

Visit West Hill's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.